NBA Draft 2020: 5 under-the-radar returning players

Neemias Queta, Sophomore C, Utah State

Another mid-major returner from the mountain time zone, Queta actually declared for the 2019 NBA Draft before ultimately returning to school. He is no stranger to those of you who followed the Step Back’s draft coverage last year, as he was firmly in our first round for much of the year. But on the national level, he didn’t get the same level of coverage, and hopes to build that credit this year.

Queta might be the best traditional rim protector in the 2020 draft class, and that’s his major draw in a class very weak on NBA-caliber big men. His timing and position sense on the defensive end make him very skilled as a weakside rim protector, and he’s shown the agility to be a decent space defender at the college level as well. The list of players besides Queta who have posted a block rate over 10, a DBPM over 7.5 and over 350 points since 2009-10 is Anthony Davis, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mohamed Bamba and Jaren Jackson Jr., with Joel Embiid just missing on points. That seems good.

Like Montgomery, the real intrigue for Queta comes with what he could pair that rim protection with on the offensive end this season. The Portuguese national was pretty raw on that side of the ball as a freshman, but unlike Montgomery, he showed the potential to provide value outside typical rim-running. He was very good at that, mind you, but it’s important to also mention his passing, because you can’t teach a center this type of vision and zip on his passes.

It’s pretty simple calculus with Queta this year. Show that same rim protection again, and develop further as a face-up scorer and passer, and it will be very hard to argue that Queta is not a lottery prospect by draft time.